The Iranian leader’s three-day visit has been described as the latest sign of improved relations between the Tehran and Cairo after the 2011 uprising that ousted Egypt's longtime ruler, President Hosni Mubarak and brought an Islamist government to power.

Following his arrival, the Iranian president and his Egyptian counterpart held a 20-minute talk focusing on the civil war in Syria, AP reported quoting unnamed security officials. Historically, both countries have stood opposed on the question of Syria, with Iran being Damascus' closest regional ally and Egypt supporting calls for Syrian President Bashar Assad to step down.

Mahmud Ahmadinejad arrived in protest-stricken Cairo to attend the Islamic Solidarity Organization conference. It’s the first visit of an Iranian leader to Egypt since 1979.